Arizona: The Memphis Grizzlies powered their way into the NBA play-offs and eliminated Phoenix from contention with a 97-91 road victory over the Suns yesterday.
With both teams vying for the final spot in the Western Conference, Mike Conley delivered the go-ahead three-pointer with about a minute left to put Memphis ahead 93-91.
Zach Randolph had 32 points and nine rebounds for the Grizzlies (49-32), who won their fourth straight to reach the postseason for a fourth consecutive season.
Phoenix (47-34) were fighting to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2010.
Zach Randolph scored a season-high 32 points and collected nine rebounds, and Mike Miller added five three-pointers and a season-high 21 points off the bench, as the Grizzlies beat the Phoenix Suns and eliminated them from play-off contention.
In a tight game down the stretch, Mike Conley put Memphis ahead to stay at 93-91 on a three-pointer with 1:08 left.
Markieff Morris scored 21 points off the bench for the Suns (47-34), who will miss the play-offs for a fourth straight season.
The Grizzlies (49-32), tied with Dallas (49-32), play the Mavericks in the season finale on Wednesday with the winner claiming the No. 7 seed in the West.
Reserve forward Draymond Green connected on a career-best four three-pointers, leading the Golden State Warriors to a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves that clinched the West’s sixth seed.
The Warriors, who recorded a first-round play-off upset of Denver as the six seed a year ago, will face either the Los Angeles Clippers or Oklahoma City Thunder in the first-round, best-of-seven series.
Stephen Curry compiled 32 points and 15 assists for the Warriors (50-31) while Minnesota lost despite Kevin Love’s monster night of 40 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Mike Dunleavy scored 22 points, leading the Chicago Bulls to a victory over the Orlando Magic as they fight for play-off positioning.
The Bulls played their final regular-season home game, but their play-off future remains unsettled. Chicago and Toronto Raptors remain tied for third place in the Eastern Conference, both with 48-33 records.
The Bulls need to win their season finale on Wednesday and have Toronto lose theirs in order to get the No. 3 seed.
The Houston Rockets used a late rally to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit for a win over the San Antonio Spurs that clinched a season series sweep.
The Rockets (54-27) secured home-court advantage for their Western Conference quarter-final series against the Portland Trail Blazers by completing their first season sweep against the Spurs (62-19) since the 1988-89 season.
Dwight Howard finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds as Houston used a 10-2 run in the fourth to surge past the Spurs, who have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the West.
Chris Douglas-Roberts made a running six-footer at the buzzer to give the Charlotte Bobcats a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Center Al Jefferson scored 27 points and added 15 rebounds to lead the Bobcats (42-39), who remain a game behind the Washington Wizards in the battle for the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Mike Scott tallied 20 points for Atlanta (37-44), locked into the East’s eighth spot.
Tyreke Evans, pressed into emergency point guard duty, scored a career-high 41 points and dished out eight assists to power the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans to a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Evans’ status before the game was uncertain because of a bone bruise in his knee, but he exploded for the Pelicans (33-48).
Kevin Durant scored 25 for the Thunder (58-23), who missed the chance to clinch the West’s No. 2 seed but can do so with a win in their finale on Wednesday, or with one more loss by the Los Angeles Clippers.Reuters
